One-Way Ticket: Why 'Dark Tourists' Travel to Dangerous Countries (7 photos)

The term "dark tourism" refers to visiting dangerous, life-threatening destinations. Thrill-seeking travelers embark on risky journeys for an adrenaline rush, often landing in serious trouble. From rotting in authoritarian prisons on espionage charges to facing life-or-death situations, read on for the stories of adventurers who nearly paid the ultimate price for a quick thrill.





Dark tourists head to high-risk areas in search of extreme thrills, often putting their lives on the line. Hermit states and oppressive regimes are notoriously hostile toward outsiders. While these governments show little mercy to their own citizens, foreign visitors face even greater hostility—frequently ending up in squalid prison cells accused of espionage or other trumped-up charges.

Countries like Afghanistan, Iran, and North Korea are notorious for their hostility to foreign visitors, enforcing strict bans and oppressive rules. Yet, overly curious Westerners still charge straight into the danger zone, often falling into deadly traps.

War Zone Thrills



Miles, a 22-year-old Briton, found himself trapped in war-torn Kabul after it fell to the Taliban. On social media, he revealed he was hiding out in a UN safehouse following several failed attempts to flee the Afghan capital. The Birmingham student had deliberately traveled to the conflict zone to see "the most dangerous city in the world," documenting his trip on video and livestreaming on Twitch.

He admitted he knew he might not make it back alive, though he still hoped for a safe return home.





In 2019, British woman Jolie King and her Australian boyfriend Mark Firkin were arrested in Tehran for flying a drone. They were thrown into prison and held in inhumane conditions. Fortunately, the couple was eventually released and able to return to Australia.

Espionage Suspects



Andy McGinlay, a 40-year-old dark tourist, has visited over a hundred countries and developed a habit for extreme travel. Between 2010 and 2015, he visited Syria, Iraq, Iran, Afghanistan, and North Korea. The Briton risked kidnapping or death on numerous occasions.



The thrill-seeker says his urge for high-stakes adventure drives his decisions. He runs a travel channel on YouTube and dreams of visiting every country in the world.

In 2012, Andy traveled to Iran, where he was put under surveillance. He asked a local student to act as his tour guide while exploring the northern part of the country. Consequently, the young student was arrested for associating with a suspected foreign spy. Iranian authorities found it suspicious that a Briton was visiting non-touristy areas just to explore the country. Fortunately, his guide was eventually released after managing to prove Andy's innocence.

Jailed over a Sunset Photo



In 2010, another British tourist, Andrew Barber, was accused of espionage in Iran and spent 58 days in Evin Prison—one of the country's most notorious facilities. It happened after he photographed a sunset near a power plant. Police searched his belongings and discovered he had previously worked for a logistics company in Iraq—one of Iran's fiercest geopolitical rivals.

Andrew was thrown into prison without being allowed to contact the British embassy. For 26 days, he was held in a tiny, windowless, unfurnished cell and let out for just 10 minutes a day to use the bathroom. Fortunately, the charges were eventually dropped due to a lack of evidence, and he was released to the British Embassy.

Fatal Consequences



In 2016, headlines around the world were dominated by the news that American tourist Otto Warmbier was jailed in North Korea for allegedly stealing a propaganda poster.

The 22-year-old American was sentenced to 15 years of hard labor but was repatriated after falling into a coma caused by severe injuries suffered in captivity. He passed away on June 19, 2017, as a result of his injuries.

Deadly hazards aren't exclusive to totalitarian regimes, however; danger also lurks right in our local forests. Every year, hundreds of people get stranded or injured while hiking or mushroom picking outdoors.